AN IRON-DEXTRAN COMPOUND FOR USE AS A COMPONENT IN A THERAPEUTICAL COMPOSITION FOR PROPHYLAXIS OR TREATMENT OF IRON-DEFICIENCY, A PROCESS FOR PRODUCING SAID IRON-DEXTRAN COMPOUND AND USE OF SAID COMPOUND FOR THE PREPARATION OF A PARENTERALLY ADMINISTRABLE THERAPEUTICAL COMPOSITION

An iron-dextran compound for parenteral treatment of iron-deficiency anemia comprises hydrogenated dextran having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) between 700 and 1,400 Daltons, preferably approximately 1,000 Daltons, a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 400 to 1,400 Daltons and wherein 90 % by weight of the dextra n has molecular weights less than 2,700 Daltons and the Mw of the 10 % by weight fraction of the dextran having the highest molecula r weights is below 3,200 Daltons, said hydrogenated dextran having been subjected to purification by membrane processes having a cut-off value between 340 and 800 Daltons, in stable association with ferric oxyhydroxide. The compound is produced by using membrane process es to eliminate dextrans of higher molecular weights than approximately 2,700 Daltons and membrane processes to remove saccharides of molecular weights below approximately 340 Daltons from hydrogenated dextran before precipitating ferric hydroxide in the presence o f said dextran followed by heat treatment and purification.